The City Council restored IBO's full funding of $2.7 million in the adopted budget for fiscal year 1999. The Mayor, who had eliminated funding for IBO in his executive budget, did not veto the restoration, citing court rulings upholding the City Charter requirement that we be funded at a level equal to at least 10 percent of the Mayor's budget office. Therefore, IBO will continue in operation after July 1st.

Prior to recessing last week, the New York State Legislature took no action on legislation the Mayor is seeking to abolish IBO. However, IBO's existence could still be threatened by the actions of the Charter Revision Commission appointed by the Mayor. The Commission recently requested a meeting with IBO to discuss IBO's accomplisments over the past two years. Our hopes for an impartial Charter revision process were dimmed on June 16th when the Commission chair, former Giuliani Deputy Mayor Peter Powers, stated his belief that the IBO was unnecessary and should be eliminated.

The Commission will begin holding public hearings on July 1st and is preparing to submit a Charter revision proposal by September 1st. If the proposal is submitted on time, the public will vote on the Commission's proposal on election day this November.

IBO is grateful for the many expressions of support for our work that were sent to the City Council and State Legislature over the past few months. We will keep our readers informed of further developments related to the Charter Revision Commission.